The newest historical mystery
from Mariah Fredericks will be released in early October by Minotaur. Murder
on 34th Street is a holiday story that is set in the flagship
Macy’s Department Store on 34th Street in New York City and narrated
by the personable Grace Verlander, assistant to the Human Resources Manager who
hides in his office all day while Grace does his job for him. it is a fine
period piece, not overloaded with obvious historical research but nonetheless
true to its time, which is November 1932, the depths of the Great Depression.
Macy’s is gearing up for the
holiday shopping season, which the store owners have every reason to believe
will not be especially successful, while preparing the floats for the annual
Thanksgiving Parade. One of the floats will carry the Macy’s Santa Claus in a
bid to bring children and their parents (with money) into the store. Grace is
alarmed to learn that Santa Claus, actually Harry Gardner of children’s shoes,
has received a threatening letter promising that he will not live to see
Christmas. Grace cannot imagine who would find the quiet older gentleman
offensive but she alerts store security in the person of former police officer
Frank Halsey. Halsey agrees that Santa is likely safe within the store but vulnerable
in his perch on the Macy’s float in full view of thousands and he decides to
ride on the float with Santa.
While Gardner survives the
parade, others do not, and Grace has a mystery to solve while dealing with
dozens of personnel crises that become more urgent daily as Christmas draws
near. She is also devoting more attention than perhaps absolutely necessary to
the window display section where the new creative manager has captured her imagination.
Absorbing story with
believable characters from the major to the folks with a single throw-away scene.
The operational details of the enormous store that occupied an entire block are
fascinating and worth the read alone. And the mystery is not forgotten. It
steadily unfolds bit by bit, ending with an entirely unexpected revelation.
Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review &
Editor's Pick):
“Fredericks’ dialogue is sharp
as a box cutter and her cast of characters as lively and colorful as Christmas
itself. Grace is a marvel: witty, perceptive, and kind, yet not so perfect that
there’s no room for moments of self-reflection . . . Fredericks’ latest
adventure should be in everyone’s Christmas stocking this year, tied with a big
red bow.”
Expect to see this one on the
short list for major 2026 awards. I will be nominating it for a Lefty. Highly
recommended.
·
Publisher:
Minotaur Books
·
Publication
date: October 6, 2026
·
Language: English
·
Print
length: 288 pages
·
ISBN-10:
1250367549
·
ISBN-13:
978-1250367549
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4xZDSc3
Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2026
Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal
It projects by day and reads mysteries at night.
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